To the Editor,

For the first time in 60 years my wife and I have had to lower our blinds from dusk to dawn. We haven’t been invaded by a pack of peeping Toms, nor curious raccoons; we have been invaded by a cell tower. A tower equipped with two levels of very bright flashing white lights and a red light.
I realize that cell technology is here to stay and that towers are a necessity. I understand NIMBYism and that Luddites have been fighting a losing cause since the Industrial Revolution. What I don’t understand is the lack of common sense used in the design and location of this tower. It is presumed that the lights are in place to warn aircraft pilots of the tower’s location. I would suggest that an aircraft, flying by visual flight rules, at an altitude below the tower top has a few other problems to worry about. In this county, tall trees on top of high hills pose a similar threat at night. Maybe these should also have lights.
The probability of hitting a tower is somewhat akin to throwing a dart the length of a football field and hitting a sewing needle. Given all that, warning lights are required. How about sensible warning lights? A steady red light, even two red lights, although still annoying, would be far less intrusive than the current design.
The worst part of this is the sense of futility I feel. Protection of the quality of life of a few citizens faces the combined opposition of government regulations, the interests of very large corporate entities and apathy.

Dave Bonham
Minden